2019-10-09 - Hospital Freedom

It was finally time for Isolde to leave the hospital and even though she was feeling weak and still a little dizzy, she was thrilled to be getting out of here. Getting out meant that she could try and rest better. Getting better quicker meant she could try and get back into that city. Back to the creature. Her heart ached for it and her mind clung to that question. Can you see? Can you see? Can you see? It drifted through her like a mantra. Even though Alexander had said to be careful around pretty much everyone in her social circle because of the Gohl stuff, Isolde decided to take the chance and ask Itzhak if he could come pick her up now that he was no longer sick either. She missed him something awful, and she hadn't been using her phone really at all since being inside.

Isolde was very much ready to leave. So much so that she was already dressed in the clothes she'd come in - a pair of jeans and a black tank top. And she was sitting patiently in the room. More or less. There was some fidgeting going on. Anxious to get out of the white walls. Get on with things. Seeing Itzhak. The last time they saw each other had been the prison break. She hadn't been able to really tell him anything about the aftermath because she was here not long after.

Particularly Itzhak, maybe, Isolde should be careful around. Other men in town with overly-hasty tempers and a taste for fighting have done some nasty things with Gohl riding them. Itzhak's cut from the same cloth.

Here he is, though, showing up to Isolde's room bundled into a big black peacoat and a soft gray scarf. He hikes his eyebrows at her, smiling a little, but he looks tired. Really tired. Worried and unhappy. He looks thinner; the flu ate some flesh off him, and he didn't have too much to spare. "Hi, Izeleh." Voice a little rough, too. He loiters in the doorway, uncertainly.

Maybe Isolde should be careful, but Isolde also figured if anyone tried to do anything to her, she had a pretty good chance of laying them out flat. Maybe. Probably when she was feeling better, because she also looks like shit. Paler than usual, dark circles under her eyes like she hasn't been sleeping well, if at all. It takes her a minute to stand up, but there's a touch of a smile nonetheless when Itzhak makes himself known. She has a small bag that's got the things Rebecca gave her and a couple of her personal belongings that she'd come with in it. She should have thought to bring a jacket or ask Isabella to bring her one but, oh well. She was still feeling kinda hot, so the cool autumn air wouldn't kill her.

Isolde stood in front of Itzhak for a moment, studying him and then took a step closer and wrapped her arms around him to hug him tightly. "Hi, Itzhak." She murmured, burying her face in his neck, breathing in his scent.

Itzhak sighs in something like relief, long arms going around Isolde. He rocks her back and forth, holding her to him, the wool of the peacoat gently scratchy on her bare arms. "I'm so glad you're okay." He cups her face to kiss her cheek, erring on the side of caution. "You're gonna be cold. I shoulda brought a sweater for you. Oh well, you can wear my coat, okay?"

Let the fussing begin immediately!

Isolde lingered in that embrace, relaxing into him. "I'm glad you're okay too." She accepted the kiss on his cheek and gave one of her own. Yes, that was the safest thing right now. "I've missed you so much." She tilted her head to look up at him- not letting go just yet. There's a quiet little noise, maybe a laugh when he talks about his coat. "I'll be okay. I'm feeling pretty warm...we can...I'll be okay to the car. Promise." She assured him, giving him a squeeze before finally letting go. "Thank you for coming to get me."

"Ehhh, I'm too tired to fight you." The corners of Itzhak's eyes crinkle with humor. "I missed you too, you know? Ain't the same without you." He kisses her cheek again, his mouth gently bristly because he never shaves down to the skin. "Got everything?"

It would be more convenient to just hold her hand or something on the way out, but convenience, feh. Itzhak lets his hand stay on Isolde's waist, arm around her.

"For once in your life." Isolde teased back gently, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Yeah I'm good." Lifting her bag a bit and then heading out with him. She's more than happy to walk like this, with her free arm around Itzhak's waist in turn. "Can we go back to your place? I think Bennie might be at mine still. "

"For once in my life." Itzhak laughs low and quiet, his voice rusty. "...What's Bennie doing at your house?" He glances down at Izzy, eyebrows puzzled, as they walk out. They're both long legged, easy to match their strides. "Why can't you...okay, you know what, it's not important. Yeah I'll bring you to my place."

Before he lets Isolde step out into the cold drizzle, Itzhak unwinds his scarf and tucks it around her neck, laying it over her shoulders. "For my peace of mind."

"She's watching the pets. And...I think a bad thing happened and so she needed some space from her boyfriend." Isolde offered. She didn't really know the situation in its entirety, but she knew enough that, at least for one more night, the pets and Bennie would be okay on their own. She'd go back later tonight, or tomorrow. And maybe actually talk to the woman! She hadn't seen her in a long time it felt like. Anywho, Isolde smiled a little as Itzhak wrapped the scarf around her. "I'll allow it." Her fingers caressed over his bristle and then she settled into him again. "And I wanna talk to you about a couple things. And see Iris. And paper Irish with paper Lemondrop."

Itzhak kisses Isolde's palm as she strokes his face. He's so affectionate right now. ...And, he shouldn't ask. He knows he shouldn't. But, "Who's her boyfriend?" comes out before he can stop it, as he takes the umbrella and opens it. (By next autumn, he'll probably be a real PNW resident and not bother with an umbrella for such a measly drizzle.)

He escorts Isolde with all his silly gallantry to the parking garage and Heartbreaker. He could have picked her up in the patient loading zone, but then he wouldn't get to fuss over her and hold her umbrella and wrap her in his scarf. Very important.

Isolde smiled, it was tired but that adoration she felt for him was written all over her face. "You know, I dunno who it is." And she didn't. Well, actually, in the back of her mind - in her subconscious - she probably remembered that Bennie and Easton were together. A thing. Last time she saw them, but right now? In the forefront of her mind, the information wasn't readily available to her. She thinks it's sweet that he's fussing over her, and even though it normally might irritate her a little, it doesn't right now. Not today.

She brightens when she sees Heartbreaker. Definitely her favorite car. "Can we go a little bit fast?" She asked, looking up to him before settling into the passenger side.

Itzhak grunts. He should absolutely not be thinking about catching whoever Bennie's boyfriend is alone in a dark alley. Not that there's alleys in this town.

Shut up, Gohl! He'd whack himself in the head to dislodge Gohl's voice from his ear, if it wouldn't alarm Isolde. Her brightening up makes him smile. Easier to ignore Gohl this way.

"Wellllll, we can go a little fast. Not too fast, the roads aren't great." Itzhak drops into the bucket seat, starts 'er up. The Vette's engine rumbles to life.

He drives sedately through the hospital zone, shifting frequently, until they hit the main road. Then he glances slyly at Isolde and revs up. Vroom!

Isolde isn't alarmed persay, maybe a touch startled but not enough to really do anything other than give him a brief look of concern and a gentle squeeze. "A little fast is okay!" Going any kind of fast is always fun. Isolde settles into the seat, already feeling better now that they were driving away from the stupid hospital.

A giggle escaped when he gave her that look as the Heartbreaker started picking up speed. She rolled the window down just a touch, enjoying the air on her warmed face and grinning as she watched the scenery zip past.

Driving fast in this weather is dicey, even with the fancy all-season tires he just put on Heartbreaker. Itzhak chances speed for a good couple minutes, the Vette growling, but has to ease off the throttle all too soon. They're doing the speed limit again by the time he turns on Elm.

"I bought a shop truck," he says, making conversation, as he parks in front of number 15. "Being delivered this week. So I can put Heartbreaker under shelter for the season."

"Ohh, is it like a. Like a...van? Or a real truck?" Isolde asks curiously, peering back a bit at 13. She lifts her hand as if she's waving at the house. She'd be back soon.

Then she's looking back to Itzhak, giving his hand a squeeze before climbing out of Heartbreaker. "I'll miss her," patting Heartbreaker lightly. "But she's better for Spring and Summer." In agreement with putting her under shelter for a while. "Can I drive the truck one time? Before the snow?"

"A pickup. Big and orange." Itzhak squeezes Isolde's hand back, smiling wearily at her. "Sure you can. I'll miss driving her," he pats Heartbreaker too, before heading up the walk. "But I'll park her in my garage, so I'll get to see her every day." Itzhak of course thinks that kind of thing is important, because he's a dork like that.

He lets them in, sheds his coat and hangs it up, takes his scarf from Isolde to hang it up as well. How much weight he lost is more obvious now. Probably not more than ten pounds or so, but he's a thin guy to start out with. Flopping down on the couch, he rests an arm over his eyes, looking exhausted.

"Cool." Isolde smiled a bit again at the affirmation that she could drive the truck. "Orange is a good color."

Once they were in the house, she looked around a moment, giving Iris a little wave and then looking at Itzhak again. Taking in his weight loss and looking concerned again. She knows she's lost a little weight too but she's of course more concerned about him.

She moves over to the couch near him, lifting a hand to run her fingers through his hair. "Do you want to put your head in my lap? How are you feeling? About things." In general it would seem.

Itzhak sighs. One arm scoops Isolde close. "Better, now that you're here." He leans his head against hers. "Real freakin' tired, and everybody's sick, and, Gohl," he waves to indicate everything going on with that bullshit. "Christ, I can't wait until we put him in the ground." He's warm and thin under the cool of his shirt. "You coming to the funeral?"

Isolde curls against Itzhak, continuing to run her fingers through his hair. Letting him vent some. Her other hand idly toss with the hen of his shirt. "Things will be better when Gohl is gone and people aren't sick." She agreed softly. "If you want me there. I'll be there."

Itzhak hesitates, thinking about it. "I dunno. I'd kinda rather know you're doing something nice for yourself while I'm there. It's up to you, but I have to give the mamzer a sacrifice, so I have to be there. Oy gevalt." When he's tired and cranky is when the Yiddish really comes out. He makes a pleased sound as Isolde runs her fingers through his black curls. "Mmm."

"Well. How about this." Isolde murmured, her lips near his temple. "You can call me before if you want. And I will tell you what I am doing nice for myself. And then you call me. Or text me when you're done. And I'll be here for you if you want. We can eat cookies and watch something silly. And try and have a little bit of peace." It was subtle perhaps. Or maybe not so much since they'd not properly seen each other in a while. But it might maybe seem like Isolde was talking a little better than she usually did. Still a touch of a child like quality. Simple, but a little less broken up. A little more put together.

Itzhak frowns, but not because of what Isolde's saying. Rather, because of the way she says it. He picks up his head so he can look at her, study her face.

She's talking better, isn't she? Is that what's pinging at him? ...He thinks it is. Yeah. It is. She's putting sentences together more smoothly, more naturally.

"I think that sounds great," he says, eyebrows lifting along with the corners of his mouth. "Yeah. That sounds great. You sound better. Easier for you to talk?"

Isolde thought for a moment, studying Itzhak, studying her. "It is. A bit" Isolde nodded. "Ever since the prison. That power." And there's the lightest hint of longing in her voice. Not even just for the power, but for the clarity it had given her. A wistful sigh. "I need to talk to you. About the prison. I sensed a thing. I dreamed about it."

"I dreamed, too." Itzhak finds Isolde's hand to cradle in both of his. "The boost Pwill gave you did this? Helped untangle you a little?" He hmphs, but he's smiling a tiny bit. "Guess that's a better payback than I was hoping for from him. Tell me your dream. Wait. Come here first." They're already pretty darn close but Itzhak opens his arms to invite her into his lap.

"A little." Isolde agreed, easily climbing into his lap and snuggling in against him. It was more comfortable like this, it felt closer. She loops an arm around his neck so she can continue toying with his hair. "When we were in there...when I was...boosted? There was a power. I could feel it Itzhak. Thrumming in the city, powering it." Isolde leaned her head against his, closing her eyes as if trying to remember. "When we were escaping, I found it. With my mind. It's some kind of...massive creature. It's so sad Itzhak. In my dream...it asked me..if I could see." Her other hand curled against his shirt. "I think they're using it to power the city. I...think it wants to be freed."

Itzhak pushes his big nose into Isolde's neck. This might be a tactical error, as all of a sudden her neck is awfully tempting, her warm weight in his lap equally distracting. It'd be so easy to start nibbling on her. She wants to tell him something important to her so probably he shouldn't do that.

He does nibble her neck a little though, even though he shouldn't. Just a little.

"A what?" he mumbles, then stops, blinking. "A creature? Powering the city? What'd it look like? I dreamed about a creature too, kinda reptilian, had pearly scales, sort of gold?" Now his attention is on Isolde's story! "They were in the prison with me. They..." Itzhak looks at Isolde, eyebrows up. "They said, don't leave 'em there."

Isolde made a pleased little noise at the nibbling. Almost tempted to let the story go for a bit and try and get him to nibble some more. But, no! It was an important thing. Especially if he had a dream too. She opened her eyes to look at him. "It was all black...impossibly huge...folded in on itself almost? Curled in. It had a single pink and gold eye...also huge. It might have two eyes but I only saw the one." There was a sort of determination in her eyes, and she felt better about what she was going to say now that Itzhak'd had a similar sort of experience.

"I need to go back. We need to go back. And save them." Isolde sighed softly. "When we're better. After the Gohl stuff is done...when we're back to strength. When our powers are..."

"Yeah, I only saw one eye, too. All pink and gold, exactly." Itzhak thinks. "Pwill was there too. Told me we didn't free everyone. He also told me I'm not as smart as I think I am but that's not the point! It's gotta be the same, uh, person? Trapped in there. Under the City." He goes quiet, thinking more, fractal arcs bursting from his mind. "You're right. We gotta go back and help them."

"Maybe? Or connected to it?" Isolde offered up. "You're plenty smart. Don't let Pwill go telling you otherwise....we should try to find him first. Maybe he can get us in? Do you...Do you know where he lives in the other side?"

"Wait, the one you saw was black, and huge? The one I saw was white, and small. Not that small but like, person sized about. Maybe they're not the same?" Itzhak frowns, rocking Isolde in his lap some. Then huffs a laugh and looks at Isolde. "Eh, he was just flirting with me. I don't know where he lives, I don't hardly know anything," he admits. "Someone like Alexander might be able to find him, maybe? Someone real strong in their brain."

"Maybe..." Isolde frowned a bit. "I don't know if I want to bother Alexander with it." She admitted. "I almost didn't want to talk to you about it...you both have had so much happening. I worry about both of you. But. I promised Isabella. That I would tell Alexander I was going to go into the Veil. So, it wouldn't hurt to ask?" Still seeming a touch uncertain. "I dunno. I...I'm stronger than I used to be. Not as strong as Alexander but, I can maybe try too."

"We worry about you too, frosheleh." Itzhak kisses Isolde's jaw, nose pressing against her ear. "You feel stronger? You oughta give it a try. When we're both better, like ya said. After the funeral. It's no joke to cross the border. We oughta be in shape for it."

"I know you do." Isolde murmured, closing her eyes again. "Yes. After the funeral. After rest. Isabella said she knows she can't talk me out of it- so I should at least be as prepared as possible." There's a soft little laugh and Isolde kissed his cheek. "I hope we can save them. All the ones who need saving."

Itzhak mms, head tilted against Isolde's. "Even if we can't. There's a story, you maybe know it, about a guy walking on a beach. A storm's washed up thousands of starfish. Just thousands of 'em, stranded above the water line on the beach. Like a crazy amount of starfish. And this guy is walking along the beach and picking up a starfish here and there and flinging it back into the water. Another guy comes along and he says, 'Are you nuts, you can't ever save them all. It doesn't matter if you throw back a dozen or so, even a hundred makes no difference! Thousands more are gonna die!'

"And the first guy just throws back another starfish and he says, 'It mattered to that one.'"

He kisses her face. "That's how I'm thinkin' of all this mishegoss. One starfish at a time."

Isolde listened closely to the story Itzhak told, trying to wonder if she'd heard it before and decided that she didn't think she had. "I think. That's a good way to think it." Isolde murmured back, snuggling into him a little more. "Can I stay the night? I know I said it already, but I've missed you. We've hardly gotten to see each other lately." Even before their impromptu imprionment.

"Mmmhm, you sure can." Itzhak tucks her to him, stroking her back. "Missed you too, baby. Fuckin' Gohl, I fuckin' swear." He grumbles deep in his throat. Then, mood lightning, asks, "You want I should behave myself or you want I should take you to bed?" mischief in his tone.

"It'll be over soon, finally." Isolde nuzzles into his neck. It was a tempting offer. Especially after being all cooped up for what felt like an eternity. She nipped at his neck and peeked up at him. "The bed is pretty comfortable an' all..." her free hand teasing up under his shirt to very briefly brush against bare skin.

"Comfortable's not what I had in mind." Permission granted, Itzhak grabs Isolde and stands up with her. He may have lost a little muscle mass to the flu, but he's still strong enough to pick her up. He grins at her, tired and full of nervous energy that he'd really like to work off. "Lemme show you just how much I been missing you."